High-Resolution Optical Investigations of Layered Materials with Net Polarization

本项目旨在研究各种软性凝聚材料的物理性质，如手性近晶液晶和弯芯化合物，它们表现出较大的净电极化。除了在实验上确定手性近晶相中的分子方位排列外，还将重点研究由弯曲核分子形成的各种新的中间相的物理性质。利用最先进的光学系统，这些领域的许多重要发现现在都是可能的，例如表征由弯曲核心分子形成的中间相。这些实验结果将集中于各种中间相中分子堆积的基础研究，并为理论建模提供重要的物理参数。将开发教育机会，培训本科生和研究生设计和建造尖端光学系统，以及获取、分析和理解高质量的实验数据。对高速液晶显示器的需求和对光纤网络中使用的特殊材料的新的兴趣使得对于这种应用的奇异液晶相的表征变得至关重要。在这些领域接受培训的学生将在就业市场上具有很强的竞争力。

This project is aimed at studying physical properties of various soft condensed materials such as chiral-smectic liquid-crystal and bent-core compounds that display a large net electric polarization. In addition to experimentally determining the molecular azimuthal arrangements in the chiral-smectic variant phases, studies of physical properties of various new mesophases formed by bent-core molecules will be emphasized. Employing state-of-the-art optical systems, numerous important discoveries in these areas are now possible such as the characterization of mesophases formed by bent-core molecules. These experimental results will focus on fundamental studies of molecular packing in the various mesophases and provide theorists important physical parameters for theoretical modeling. Educational opportunities will be developed to train both undergraduate and graduate students in designing and constructing cutting-edge optical systems as well as acquiring, analyzing and understanding high quality experimental data. The desire for high-speed liquid crystal displays and a new interest in special materials to be used in optic fiber networks makes the characterization of exotic liquid crystal phases for such applications has critically important. Students trained in these areas will be highly competitive in the job market.